WHDH-TV Photographer Banned From Hernandez Trial After Following Jury Bus
FALL RIVER (CBS/AP) — The judge in the murder trial of former New England Patriots player Aaron Hernandez banned a Boston television station photographer from the courthouse Thursday after he said he followed a bus carrying jurors.
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Earlier in the day, two jurors told Superior Court Judge Susan Garsh on Thursday morning that they were followed by an SUV from Boston NBC affiliate WHDH-TV on Wednesday.
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One of the jurors showed the judge his phone with a photo of the Ford Explorer's license plate.
Garsh said after discussing it with the jurors she believed it was a serious matter and could have resulted in a mistrial.
WHDH photographer Robert Cusanelli testified in the afternoon that he had no intention of interacting with the jurors, but wanted to see where they were parking their cars.
"I was made aware that our station thought it would be good information to have the location where the jurors were getting on and off the bus," he said.
Garsh said she had considered banning the entire station from the courthouse, but ruled that only Cusanelli must stay away.
WHDH issued this statement just after noon:
"This morning, in the Aaron Hernandez trial, the judge questioned 7 News as to any impropriety with the jury in the case. 7 News did not approach any juror or talk to any juror. We also did not videotape or take pictures of any juror. We are continuing to work with the court and investigate the situation."
Garsh also issued a written order that no one shall approach, follow, contact, harass, photograph or take down the license plates of jurors.
The 12 jurors resumed deliberations Thursday morning after spending a combined nine hours deliberating on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Hernandez is charged with the June 2013 shooting death of Odin Lloyd, who was dating his fiancée's sister.
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